Spark plug and ignition wire attachment means



Sept. 1, 1953 F. E. BERSTLER 2,650,584

SPARK PLUG'AND IGNITION WIRE ATTACHMENT MEANS Filed Nov. 27,1950

s 54 F/g./ 5 56 62 50 68 62 664 5 TI Q Fran cis E Bersfler INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 1, 1953 SPARK PLUG AND IGNITION WIRE ATTACHMENT MEANS- Francis E. Berstler, Middletown, Pa., assignor of thirty-three and one-third per cent to Charles V. Hoke, Hummelstown, and thirty-three and one-third per cent to Ezra 0. BrubakenElizabethtown, Pa.

Application November 27, 1950, Serial No. 197,696

This invention relates generally to spark plugs and more particularly to a: spark plug wherein the center electrode is adjustable in an axial direction and wherein special means is provided for the-attachment of the current conductor orlead wire.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a spark plug allowing adjustment of the center electrode longitudinally of itself during actual operation of the motor, with the corresponding cylinder firing, along with one or more other cylinders in order to allow the motor to function, this feature being concerned with the attainment of perfect adjustment for the compression pressure of that particular cylinder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved means for securing an ignition wire to a spark plug.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spark plug which will not readily become fouled, and wherein certain parts can be removed periodically for cleaning purposes.

. Yet another object of this invention'is to provide a spark plug wherein certain parts; more likely than others to becomendamaged, can be easily replaced;

A last object to be mentioned is to provide a spak plug which is relatively simple and practicable to manufacture, the different parts being each simple in themselves and capable of mass production at low cost, and to provide a spark plug which is generally efiicient in operation.

. With the above objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a spark plug, the figure including representation of a portion of an ignition or lead wire, and a portion of a cylinder block, the latter being in vertical cross section;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the spark plug, the view being taken substantially on the line 2--2 in Figure 4;

Figure 3 is a lower end elevational view of the spark plug;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 in Figure 2.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical elements and portions throughout 1 Claim. (01. 123-169) the specification and throughout the different views in the drawing.

' Referring now to the drawing in detail,this spark plug includes 'a body H], which is generally tubular, the externally threaded portion l 2- of the body being adapted for being screwed into a cylinder block fragmentarily illustrated at M.

The center portion of the body I0 is enlarged as indicated at I6 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced cylindrical recesses I8 are provided therein to receive a wrench, whereby the body I0 may be screwed into the cylinder block [4. The end of the body [0 adjacent the threaded portion [2 is provided with a plurality of inwardly turned fixed electrodes 20, these fixed electrodes being preferably integral with the body Ill. The latter body is preferably constructed of stainless steel or stellite, and in any case, it

is important that the electrodes 20 be constructed A sleeve 24 is constructed of a substance which is electrically non-conductive, this sleeve having an enlarged intermediate portion 26 terminatingv in an axially projecting annular flange 28 which fits reasonably snugly into this space between the annular flange 22 of the body [0 and the adjacent portion of said body. An end portion 30 of the sleeve 24 extends beyond the annular flange 28, into that portion or the body which is threaded as at I2, and the said end portion 30 of the insulative sleeve is coextensive with the threaded portion. A gasket 32 is compressed between the end of the annular flange 28 and the adjacent portions of the body I0.

A nut 34, externally threaded at 35, is screwed into a correspondingly threaded end portion of the body I0 remote from the fixed electrodes 25), and another gasket 28 is compressed between the threaded end portion 36 of the nut 34 and the enlarged intermediate portion 26 of the sleeve 24, this construction holding the sleeve 2 in lace on the body In, all as will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figure 2. The nut 34 has an enlarged intermediate portion 49 which is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced wrench receiving apertures 42.

A metal tube 44 extends the full length of the sleeve 24 and is bonded internally thereto, the outer surface of the tube 44 being roughened to improve such bonding, and the sleeve 24 being ordinarily molded directly upon the tube 44. The tube 44 has a portion extending beyond that end of the sleeve 24 remote from the fixed electrodes 20.

An adjustable electrode 46 comprises a metal bar, externally threaded, and provided at one end with a plain cylindrical element 38, this element 48 being preferably of stainless steel or stellite, and it is preferred that the element 48 be integral with the main portion of the adjustable electrode or rod 46. The end of the adjustable electrode 46, remote from the element 48 is provided with a kerf 50, to facilitate adjustment of the electrode.

An externally and internally threaded tubular member 52 is threaded on that portion of the tube M extending beyond the end. of the sleeve 24, a lrerf 54 being provided in one end of this member 52 to allow the member 52 to be screwed onto the said extending portion of the tube 44, and a cap 56:, provided with a ken? 58, is used to close the outer end of the member 52. Of course, the member 52 extends beyond that end of the adjustable electrode 45 remote from the fixed electrodes 20. The member 52 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 60 The member 52, described immediately above, comprises a part of the means for attachment of a terminal 64 of an ignition wire. This terminal is provided with a reduced neck portion 66. A nut 62 is threaded, on the member 52 and this nut is provided with an annular flange 68. A coacting nut having a similar flan e 12 is disposed on the other side of the terminal 64, the flanges 68 and 12 engaging the reduced portion 66 and holding the terminal rigidly in place, while providing for good electrical contact between the terminal and the tube 44 and adjustable electrode 46.

The operation of this invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. In recapitulation, it need only be added that the screw cap 56 is removed to provide access to the adjustable electrode 45, for adjustment thereof during the actual operation of the motor. Since the apertures 60 are circumferentially spaced at equidistant points, the terminal 64 is selectively inserted in one of these apertures, thus facilitating the most convenient arrangement and connection of the ignition wire. It will be clear that each of the objects mentioned in an early part of this specification is achieved fully by this invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

For use in conjunction with a sparl; plug insulator and electrode assembly embodying a sleeve of dielectric material, a metal tube fitting into the bore of said sleeve and bonded to the latter and constituting a bushing and having its axial passage internally screw-threaded and having one end projecting beyond the corresponding end of said sleeve and provided with external screw threads, and a screw-threaded electrode screwed into and through the internally screw-threaded passage of said tube and having an upper end projecting beyond the upper end of said tube; terminal connector means adapted for detachable cooperation with said electrode comprising a tubular member having internal and external screw-threads, said tubular member being adapted to be removably screwed on the projecting end of said tube with its lower end abutting the upper end of said sleeve and with its upper end projecting beyond the corresponding end of said tube as well as the corresponding end of said electrode and serving to enclose and protectively house the upper end of said electrode, said tubular member being provided intermediate its upper and lower ends with equidistant circumferentially spaced apertures to selectively receive a conformably shaped terminal on a current conductive lead wire, the upper end of said tubular member being provided with a screw driver kerf, a plug removably secured in and closing the upper end of said tubular member, a current conductive lead wire having a terminal embodying a portion conformably and removably fitted into a selected one of said apertures, and means removably mounted on the external screw threads on said tubular member and directly coacting with said terminal to prevent accidental displacement of the same from the aperture in which it is located, said means comprising a pair of nuts removably screwed on said tubular member at longitudinally spaced points and located on diametrically opposite sides of said terminals, said terminal having a reduced neck portion and the opposed coasting faces of said nuts having endless flanges with portions thereof fitting against and engaging said neck portion.

FRANCIS E. BERSTLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 916,486 Reeve Mar. 30, 1909 1,020,457 Sloan, Jr. Mar. 19, 1912 1,136,961 Inman et a1. Apr. 27, 1915 1,401,585 Collins et a1. s Dec. 27, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 206,568 England Nov. 5, 1923 

